Syllabus

A new session of each course starts monthly. If enrolling in a series of two or
more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two
months apart.

Week
1

Wednesday - Lesson
01

In this course, you'll discover the keys to achieving financial freedom steadily and successfully. You'll learn how to make financial discipline and wise financial choices a natural part of your life. Our journey begins today with an overview of the five steps of financial planning.

Friday - Lesson
02

How much money do you actually have and where is it all going? You have to be able to answer these questions before you can create a financial plan. So, in this lesson, we'll work on organizing your financial life. You'll create an organized filing system, get a handle on your spending, and learn how valuable cash flow statements, budgets, and balance sheets are to financial success. Don't worry; it's not as hard as it sounds!

Week
2

Wednesday - Lesson
03

There are three types of investment money: short-term, intermediate, and long-term. We'll start this lesson with a look at short-term money and the purpose it serves. This is money you would set aside for something specific in the near future like buying a car, making a down payment on a house, or paying off interest-free debt. You'll learn the trade-off between investment risk and investment reward and see why it takes more than putting your money in a savings account to get rich.

Friday - Lesson
04

In this lesson, you'll learn how a combination of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds will help you build wealth. You'll also see how investment risk correlates with investment return. Then you'll discover how time mitigates higher-risk investments, making them an excellent choice if you've got enough time and want to see double-digit returns.

Week
3

Wednesday - Lesson
05

Saving money to fund a college education is a common financial goal. So, today we'll talk about the pros and cons of the different education savings plans that are out there. By the end of this lesson, you'll be the neighborhood expert on saving for college!

Friday - Lesson
06

Most people's number-one financial goal is saving for retirement. Social Security alone won't cover the bills. Some of us have employer pension plans, but many of us have to figure out how we'll make up the shortage once we stop working. This lesson is about taking care of yourself in retirement. We'll examine retirement savings plans and discover why they're a great place for your cash investments.

Week
4

Wednesday - Lesson
07

Up to now, this course has been about accumulating cash assets. Today we'll learn how real property assets complement your wealth. Real property assets are things you can feel, see, and touch (such as land or precious metals). When you complete this lesson, you'll know the challenges and benefits of owning real property.

Friday - Lesson
08

Since most of us don't have enough to buy a house with cash, we need someone to lend us money. Going to the bank for a loan isn't as simple as walking in and filling out an application. Completing an extensive questionnaire about your income, debts, and job history is part of the loan process, but there's more. You need to decide which kind of mortgage to apply for. Just like there are a number of ways to order coffee from your favorite barista, there are a number of ways to finance a house. In this lesson, you'll learn about the different loan types, understand why some cost more (or less) than others, and figure out which loan program is best for you.

Week
5

Wednesday - Lesson
09

Almost all of us have credit cards in our wallets. And most of us are plagued by consumer debt. Credit cards, car loans, car leases, and in-store financing are where consumer debt builds up. But today you'll learn how to use these forms of financing to maximize your wealth.

Friday - Lesson
10

As you accumulate wealth, it's important to protect it against loss. We buy car insurance in case of car crashes, homeowners insurance in case of damage or destruction to our houses, and health insurance to help with the rising cost of medical care. These are obvious assets to protect, but what about your most valuable asset: your ability to earn an income? If you have people depending on your paycheck to put food on the table and a roof over their heads, then you need to protect your income. So in this lesson, we'll talk about life and disability insurance and when you should get them.

Week
6

Wednesday - Lesson
11

Today, we'll talk about the professionals who can help you on your journey toward wealth. You'll learn the areas of expertise for an attorney, CPA, financial advisor, and insurance agent. You'll also get a sense of when is the right time to call on each of these professionals.

Friday - Lesson
12

In this, our final lesson, we'll talk about the most challenging part of the financial planning process: implementation. We will go over a technique that's very helpful in getting you and keeping you moving on your journey toward wealth. You'll leave this course knowing what you need to do to reach your goals and how to do it. You'll have everything it takes to achieve financial freedom!

Review

Excellent course! This course gave me the basic understanding and knowledge to begin a financial plan. I comprehend the importance and value of saving for retirement and the various vehicles to achieve this goal. Great information!!!